THE BOATSWAIN
The Boatswain, for a long time was not in favor on American vessels,
this prejudice being a survival of the hard old sailing-ship days, after
America had ceased to be great with her white wings.
The cheese-paring policy of many owners denied the common sense
arrangement of having a Boatswain—a leading man of the crew—to do the
actual roustabout with the men in holds and on deck. The Mates were
supposed to attend to such matters, and while they juggled hose, and did
other energetic, but senseless duties, other matters of far greater
importance went undone.
Owners are now generally alive to the fact that a Boatswain makes the
Chief Mate about ten times as useful as an officer. He can plan work,
attend to his duties and inspections, while such matters as washing
decks, mixing paints, standing over gangs of chippers, or side cleaners,
goes on without interruption under the Boatswain.
The Duty of the Boatswain is so closely associated with the duty of the
Chief Mate, that it is more or less a matter of repetition to enumerate
just what he is supposed to look after.
Under the Chief Mate, the Boatswain works the men; if in a large vessel,
with the assistance of a Boatswain's Mate. At sea, the watches are
divided between the Boatswain and his Mate.
The Boatswain should be something more than an able seaman, as the term
is known today. Steamers do not carry a sailmaker, and the Boatswain
should be able to sew a seam, sew on a bolt rope, and fit and cut an
awning, or a staysail.
He should understand something about rigging—the splicing of wire
ropes—the turning in of thimbles—the making and rigging of lifeboat
sails (most of them on merchant vessels are an abomination).
+Boatswain's Orders.+ A small book of Boatswains' Orders, filled out by
the Chief Mate helps to keep things straight and the work on deck
progressing. This is specially necessary where the Chief Mate stands a
bridge watch and may be turned in for a part of the day.
+Stands By.+ The Boatswain or his Mate, whoever is on deck, should
always "stand by" for an emergency call from the bridge, to attend to
any work that the officer of the watch may wish to have done.